By Paul D. Rosevear
For most people, giving back to their community or helping
out those in need is something they do "on the side" - as a
way to make a difference when they have the opportunity to
do so. Perhaps you're one of them, volunteering some time at
a nearby hospital, coaching your son's recreational sports
team or serving as a peer counselor at your church or
community center.
Have you ever considered giving back as a career? A
tremendous need exists for those with a strong interest in
helping others on a full-time, professional level. Not only
are there a variety of opportunities in public
service-related areas, there are also hosts of rapidly
growing educational programs available that transform human
interest in a hot professional pursuit.
Take Your Passion to the Classroom
Not many are aware that such goodwill programs exist.
"People are usually surprised to find that we have
coursework in a niche of their particular interest,"
explains Jay Goin, University of Phoenix - Texas vice
president. "We've got curriculum that addresses topics like
crisis intervention, public policy, advocacy, human
psychology, counseling - opportunities for someone to learn
how to make a difference on the individual-, family-,
group-, or community level."
Many of the school's programs, and similar coursework at
other institutions, have been in place for a number of
years, but have only recently been receiving mainstream
attention from those looking to make a career change for the
better (both figuratively and literally).
"We conducted a survey and found that 61 percent of those
considering a career change want to do so because they
desire something more fulfilling," explains Goin. "We're
seeing lots of examples like someone who works at a company
in a human resources-type role, but [would rather] be the
company go-to counselor. Or, somebody who is in law
enforcement, but would like to work on crisis intervention
side of things."
Recycling Yourself
For Jeff Short, 18 years in the business world compelled him
to pursue a profession with more meaning. "When I first
graduated college, my main objective was making money," he
explains. After building a business with more than 450
employees, Jeff realized that something was missing. "You
work so hard to build a business from the ground up, and
then you sell it - which is the goal for most people with
businesses. After that, it's gone," he explains. "When you
get older, you start feeling a desire to impact people, and
give back to your community."
Jeff's community is Garner-Hayfield, Iowa, a small town of
3,000. When he learned that its school district was
suffering from a shortage of instructors for specialized
courses - particularly industrial technology classes, which
were his favorite in high school - he decided to find a way
to help bridge the gap.
"I was contemplating going back to night classes to get my
teaching certification, when the state of Iowa approved
Kaplan University's master of education and intern teaching
program," he says. When he graduates from the online
program, Jeff will be eligible for hire. "It's worked out
perfectly because of the flexibility of studying. I can work
the classes into my schedule."
The enthusiasm Jeff has for recycling himself back into the
community with a brand new degree is precisely what Becky
Shermis had in mind when she designed the curriculum. "It's
all about 'growing your own,'" explains the dean of teacher
education for Kaplan's Graduate School of Education. "These
people already know the culture of the town and the nature
of its students. If we can bring folks in from the community
to help give back, they are more apt to stay and really make
an impact."
A Curriculum for Compassion
After graduating high school, Jessica Baldino followed in
the footsteps of her mom and began working at a local
hospital while trying to figure out what her life's focus
would be. That's where she discovered that transforming her
desire to help people into a full-time profession was
possible.
"I always knew I wanted to go back to school, but what I
really wanted was to be able to make a living and help
people at the same time," she says. "I enrolled in Oakton
College's nursing program, which has a flexible online
curriculum, and I'll be finishing my degree in four weeks."
Once she's completed the coursework, Jessica's inclination
to care for others will also be her livelihood. "It's so
fulfilling to not only make helping others my career, but
also to explore the academic side of it," she says. "Beyond
the technical things like learning how to administer
medicine, we learn about communication tactics with
patients, the history of the profession, and have
discussions on ethics."
Learn How to Make a Difference - Literally
What students are recognizing as a benefit of these online
education programs is that they are able to schedule their
coursework in a manner that frees up time to put their
education into practice.
"Our courses not only emphasize theory, but also theory to
action," explains Dr. Gary Kelsey, a faculty member at
Walden University's School of Public Policy and
Administration, which offers courses in philanthropic
subjects such as nonprofit management, fundraising, and
organizational development and planning. "We encourage
students to apply real human and organizational issues to
coursework."
Much like how Jessica was able to blend the hands-on desire
to reach out to others with the application of related
coursework, Kelsey cites a similar blend of theory and
practice as part of Walden's online coursework. "Public
sector professionals must have a greater understanding of
how they can work together to achieve greater results." That
means, that before you can make a positive difference in the
way your community functions, you've got to learn what makes
the system tick. Once you acquire that academic foundation,
you can effect change in a smart, informed, effective
manner.
Who would have thought that pitching in to raise awareness
for cancer victims, lobbying for safer streets at night, or
advocating for community development could become your
full-time passion through education? By hitting the books,
you'll get the opportunity to take the activities you find
fulfilling at home - with your family, friends, and
colleagues - and turn them into a lucrative career. Now
there's a reward you can take to the bank.
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